Chapter Six
Liam awoke the next morning, determined to get Cecelia alone once more and secure an answer from her about his courting her. The only problem was that he knew her mother would not welcome a visit from him. He was contemplating this problem as he made his way downstairs, when Aila appeared at the bottom of the steps dressed in a riding habit.
He smiled at his sister. “Are ye and Aldridge going riding?”
“We are—along with Miss Cartwright and the Duke of Blackmore.”
Liam scowled at the mention of the duke who had spoken to Cecelia in such a personal tone and had gazed at her as if she were a fine whiskey he wished to drink. Liam did not like the man in the least.
Aila gave a soft laugh. “Ye look like ye wish to throttle someone, and I daresay, it is the Duke of Blackmore.”
“Ever astute, sister dear,” Liam replied.
“Do ye wish to come with us?” Aila asked.
“I most definitely do,” he instantly replied.
Riding on her horse in Hyde Park between Blackmore, who had arrived at her home earlier than she had bid him and who her mother had fairly shoved her out the door to go riding with this morning, and then Liam, who her mother had reminded her would never do, was making Cecelia miserable. She wanted a man whom she could not encourage to pursue her, despite the way his nearness made her stomach flutter, but had to allow the pursuit of a man she did not want.
She simply had to get away from them or she would go mad. As the two men argued among themselves over who was the better rider, Cecelia tried to think of a plausible excuse to leave.
“I know!” Aila exclaimed, making Cecelia’s breath catch with a momentary ridiculous thought that the woman had somehow read her mind. But when she turned her attention to Liam’s sister, she was looking at Liam and Blackmore, as was Aldridge. No one was paying Cecelia any heed.
“Whichever one of ye wins the race may claim a stroll by the water with Miss Cartwright,” Aila said. “I’m sure ye both would agree that is a sufficient prize!”
Cold air hit Cecelia’s teeth as her mouth parted in shock. Before she could lodge a protest, both men had agreed and lined up their horses. Now she was not only stuck but she was going to be forced to be alone with either Blackmore or Liam, and she feared the outcome of either instance. What if Blackmore truly did offer for her once more? How could she turn him down when she knew how much it would help her mother? But if Liam won the race, and he perchance kissed her when they were alone, she feared she’d not be able to deny him, and then her heart would most surely be lost to a man she could not possibly have.
As the race started, she pushed her worries to the side and concentrated on the men. Both were excellent riders. Aila cheered her brother on, and Aldridge stood silent, likely fearing to show favoritism toward either man—one was a longtime friend, and the other his future brother-in-law.
Liam pulled ahead of Blackmore, and a surge of happiness filled her. It was then that Cecelia knew Liam posed the biggest threat to her. Had Blackmore won, she could perchance have managed to turn him from a conversation of marriage, but if Liam tipped her face to his for a kiss, she didn’t think she possessed the will to stop him.
Not long later, Liam strode up to her. “Shall we stroll?” he inquired. “Or do you fear being alone with me?” The challenge glinting in his eyes was unmistakable.
She notched up her chin. “Don’t be ridiculous,” she said archly. “I fear no man.”
“Hear! Hear!” Blackmore, who had just walked up, said.
Cecelia glared in his direction, noting Aila’s and Aldridge’s amused smiles. “Besides,” she said, “we are hardly alone in Hyde Park, Lord MacLeod.”
“I’ll follow behind, if you wish it,” Blackmore offered, his hard gaze pinning Liam, then landing on her with questioning eyes.
She should agree. This was the perfect way to avoid giving in to her desires. “There is no need,” she said, narrowing her eyes at Liam. “Is there?”
A mischievous smile tugged at his lips. “Not in my mind, Miss Cartwright.”
Not a half hour later, after managing to touch on every topic from the weather, to embroidery, to how she had learned to cook and barter, she had to pause to give her poor throat a moment’s respite. When she did, Liam grabbed her hand, and her eyes flew first to his face, then scanned around them. With total amazement, she realized they were quite alone on the trail. She had been so preoccupied with keeping control of the conversation and talking continuously so nothing else could occur that she had not even noticed that he had guided her off the main path.
As he turned her purposely to him and tilted up her chin, her heart began to hammer in her chest. “This is not wise,” she said, her voice wobbly.
“Because you desire me?”
She nodded, then gasped. “No,” she murmured.
Cecelia said one thing aloud, yet her body implied another. Her half-open eyes made him groan. He had not intended to use the walk as an opportunity to get her alone, but he had suddenly found himself here with her. He imagined they had a few short minutes, at best, before Blackmore came looking for her. The duke was no fool, of that Liam was certain, but neither was he. This might be the one chance he would get to learn if she desired him as he hoped, and he was going to take it.
He leaned in and captured her soft lips with his, and when she pressed her body against him and soft mewling sounds came from her, he knew that her craving matched his. As he slanted his mouth over hers, he gathered her into his arms and held her close. She felt so right, as if she fit him perfectly. He traced his tongue over the crease of her lips, and she parted them on a throaty exhalation. When he tasted her sweetness, lust shot through him.
“Cecelia, are you down here?” a voice called like cold water being thrown on them.
